Auke Lake Sockeye Salmon Radio TelemetryU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Juneau Field Office

 



For more information on the Auke Lake Study contact: James Ray, james_ray@fws.gov or (907) 780-1165

BackgroundDuring the summer of 2012, the Juneau Field Office studied the habitat use and movements of adult sockeye salmon in the Auke Lake watershed. Little is known about sockeye use of Auke Lake. Previous work suggests fish may select specific areas of the lake to ‘hold’ prior to spawning and that spawning may occur along the lake shore. Increasing development in the Auke Lake watershed is beginning to encroach on areas of high sockeye use. Tracking the movements and distribution of adult sockeye will enable us to identify important areas of habitat in Auke Lake. This will inform future land management and restoration decisions about what habitats are most important to protect and restore.

MethodsAdult sockeye returning to the Auke Lake watershed were captured at the Auke Creek fish weir and fitted with esophageal implant transmitters. 80 radio transmitters were deployed within four strata between June 20 and August 18. Fish were manually tracked with radio receivers throughout the lake and inlet streams. Two fixed receiver arrays were also located on the main inlet stream, Lake Creek, to monitor fish movement.

2012 ResultsSockeye used the lake for up to 45 days before spawning. Initially fish were distributed along the east and south shores of the lake. Two weeks before spawning, tagged sockeye moved to four discrete locations along the west and north shores. SCUBA surveys concluded that no lake spawning was occurring at three of these high use locations. However, lake spawning was identified in another area of the lake, as well as spawning in a previously undocumented inlet stream. Important areas of habitat were identified in close proximity to areas of proposed development.

2012 ConclusionsSockeye distribution appears non random. High use habitat was identified and mapped. Lake spawning is likely minor. Adult sockeye rely on lake habitat for several weeks prior to spawning.

Future Study and SupportThis study will continue in the summer of 2013. Collaborators include the NMFS and UAS. Support for this research is provided by the Alaska Sustainable Salmon Fund.

Radio tagging a sockeye salmon. Tracking sockeye salmon

All GPS locations of sockeye salmon in Auke Lake and inlet streams .

University of Alaska southeast (UAS)

Lake Creek Mouth

Lake Two Creek Mouth

City Borough of Juneau Boat Launch

Auke Creek Outlet

N